Mark Kermode reviews Starve Acre - Kermode and Mayo's Take

#MarkKermode #SimonMayo #FilmReviews

An idyllic rural family life of a couple is thrown into turmoil when their son starts acting out of character.

[amparonarbona]

Matt Smith is one of my favorite actors working today, so I'm always happy to see him in a movie or TV show. For sure I'll watch this

[Exiled_Swede]

I Just finished the book Starve Acre and went on to see the film this afternoon. They changed things around of course, and also changed the name of the kid for some reason, but overall as a big-time fan of Folk Horror, I though they absolutely nailed it. When I read the book, I did not imagine it being set in the 70s because its written fairly timeless on purpose, but it really suited the narrative. Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark were both great in their respective roles and the supportive characters were good. I thought it captured the essence of folk horror; which is to say the nature of isolation and how it drives you to madness.

The soundtrack was very reminiscent of the Wicker Man and it had hints of Pet Sematary vibes as well. I also loved the cinematography and how it was filmed through that grainy 70s lense

Would love to see Matt Smith in more horror films.

Solid 5/5 for me.

[MrFubber]

The scene of Reece Shearsmith coming out of the tent in a Field in England is the most unnerving thing I have ever seen. If this evokes that Ben Wheatley vibe I'm all over it.

[Lucywonderhunt]

Love this actress !!! Can’t wait to watch.
Edit .. well will have to wait, it’s not playing in Aberdeen

[MauriceHotblack]

There are plenty of Starveacre farms around the country. Starve is an old word for cold. As a kid, to say 'I'm starved' meant I was freezing.

[countgeekula]

Had me at Morfydd Clark. She is brilliant. Plus British folk horror. Sold!

[crispybits]

A great film, with terrific performances, an eerie soundtrack and an atmosphere that gets under your skin right from the start.

[jackseal]

No review of Sing Sing? One of the best films of the year in my opinion

[NabilsYouTube]

love the novel, and though this adaption differs in some ways, it captures enough of the book's atmosphere to succeed. i'm looking forward to a second viewing

[jameswilliams]

Just got back from seeing it, and really enjoyed it. The trick with the rabbit, I've never seen that before (though I think Kubrick did something like it in reverse in something) and it was very unsettling. Definitely recommend this flick.

Though I think that given the final scene and final shot, this should've been released nearer to Christmas for maximum effect.

[Morfy-jedz]

Film reminded me of Lamb, Pet cemetery and Wicker man but didn't hit any of the heights of any of those films, tho it was ok for a low budget folk horror. Well acted and fairly simple. The use of the sound effect from the Nostromo alarm on self destruct mode with some other filters and effects to make a haunting wailing loop was good, kinda wasn't sure if that was done as homage to Alien film or just a way of creative cheap sound track making.

[gavvo-]

Starve Acre is brilliant, very creepy and odd. The final shot is very disturbing and will stay with you for ages! Morfyd Clarke is absolutely brilliant. Such a good actress.

[TheGreyLantern]

This was just about the most 6/10 horror film I have ever seen in my life

[iansmith]

If they ever make a biopic of Ted Hughes, Matt Smith basically plays him in this film.
Having said that, it’s absolutely brilliant!

[tylerhenshall]

Couldn't agree more that folklore horror is on a line between horrifying and hilarious. Not sure if anyone else shared the experience, but I found Midsommer to be equally hilarious and terrifying that left me feeling a little confused as to whether I was going mad while watching the film too.

[spridgejuice]

I wonder why In The Earth (for me) didn't work at all - it was so close to the sorts of things I really love... maybe the synth score? (which should have been great, Clint Mansell). The genius of British folk horror comes out of 70s (children's) TV - I must rewatch the show based on Heartsease, which I loved so much as a kid (The Changes).

[Canbykarma]

I think this film has fairly niche appeal but Morfydd Clark is great in this, very impressive naturalistic performance.

[ulfingvar]

I have not seen it, but despite that I have already ordered the BFI bluray. I trust in Mark, and I trust in british folky horror.

[Iggsy]

that clip is pulling me in, i like the vibe

[dylanwolf]

The novel is great. I'm a scaredy-cat and avoid horror films, but I might be tempted to go and see this one. I enjoyed A Field in England.

A question for anyone: who knows a good website to find out where films that aren't populist mainstream fare, such as "Starve Acre", are screening in the UK.

It's a pain to wade through each of the commercial multiplex sites to try and find if some independent film is playing, especially when the expectation is that it is not.